Relaxation 101: Creating A Comfortable Home – Everyone deserves to have a relaxing hobby in life. You know, those feel-good activities that light up or make you feel cozy and happy. Whether it’s reading, cycling, walking the dog or experimenting with arts and crafts, there are relaxing hobbies out there for everyone.
It’s time to explore all relaxing hobbies – what they are, why they’re so valuable, what to look for, and some of my favorite ideas to inspire you.
Relaxation 101: Creating A Comfortable Home
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A hobby is something you do regularly for fun, outside of what you already do at work or study. It could be an art class you attend every week, or a deep interest in photography or making music.
Hobbies are often artistic or creative, but they don’t have to be. Playing a sport, being interested in learning about world history, and reading are all hobbies that don’t require you to be good at (or enjoy) creativity at all. The beauty of hobbies is that they are almost endless – there is a hobby or pastime out there for every interest.
We all need a way to rest, relax and unwind. Hobbies are a wonderful way to take your mind off your everyday job or chores and immerse yourself in a world, activity or group that you enjoy.
Hobbies aren’t just for fun either. A recent study reported that 75% of participants had lower cortisol levels (stress levels) after making art – suggesting that it helps with stress relief. While you don’t need to pick up art specifically, these self-care stats are a good reminder that doing calming things we enjoy can be good for our physical and mental health and well-being.
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It’s tempting to see something, think it looks exciting, and then go all in on it. I know, because that’s the way I am! Before doing so, however, it’s best to think about the practical and emotional side of what investing in a new hobby or activity might look like.
Take some time to think about these things. Although it may delay your search for an exciting new hobby a little, it is time well spent as it will help you search through ideas and find the right one for you.
Ready to explore some new ideas? Here are some of my favorite calming hobbies to get you thinking about what to try next.
If you love spending time browsing Pinterest or collecting pictures from magazines, this could be the ideal relaxing hobby for you. Collect photos you love, then put them together in mood boards – or try scrapbooking for a more traditional take on collecting ideas. You can even create a self-care vision board to help you get inspired.
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Bring out your creative side with watercolor paint. This is something I love to do to relax! I wouldn’t call myself artistic at all, but the soft colors and the way the brush glides over the paper feels relaxing.
I always find it very relaxing to listen to an audiobook. It removes the need to scroll and you can listen wherever you are. Start listening to audiobooks when you want to learn something new about the world while commuting, going to school, or completing your household chores.
If you’re looking for a hobby that feels rewarding, volunteering might be the perfect match. Find a cause you feel close to and find a way to contribute. Volunteer your time to help sort through donations, spread the word at an event, or deliver to people or animals in need.
The art of paper folding, known as Origami, is one of my favorite relaxing hobbies. I love sitting down with a square of paper and folding it into a crane, swan or other paper animal. Check out these origami projects for beginners for lots of ideas.
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Gardening can be very calming if you love the idea of making your vision a reality, tending plants or growing your own produce, and you’re happy to try some physical activity. To keep things simple, try low-maintenance gardening – or start by caring for some indoor plants.
If you’re anything like me, you love to decorate and style your home. Maybe a new season is approaching and you want to celebrate it, or you simply fancy a change from your usual decor. Whatever it is, seek inspiration and style your home the way you want it. If you want some fun prints for your home, I highly recommend checking out Talking Out of Turn* as their homewares are amazing and affordable.
Cozy video games are all the rage, but we often forget about another type of game – card games! I love playing card games with my partner, but if you fly alone you can also find online versions where you can play against others. Some of the most popular card games include Magic The Gathering, YuGiOh and Pokemon.
While running itself might not sound relaxing – it’s quite physical – it definitely can be if you like it. Start your running habit small to see if you like it, then build a routine around running daily or weekly. This may even develop into a fondness for marathons or trail running in the future.
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Whether you have a pet at home or not, caring for animals can become a relaxing hobby and part of your regular routine. Look after your own cat, dog or pet, or offer to look after a friend or neighbour. If you don’t have any pets nearby, volunteer at an animal shelter instead.
While dancing can be super high energy, it can also be relaxing. Take some time to spin around your room, or dance along to your favorite song as it comes up on your playlist. Embrace dance for fun and joy, and not just for exercise.
If you love being in the kitchen, cooking is a great way to relax. Follow recipes passed down to your family, find a new recipe online or create your own. You can really be as creative as you want with cooking, so it’s a hobby that never gets old.
While mastering an instrument takes time and patience, picking one up to learn casually can be a lot of fun—and relaxing once you’re comfortable playing it. Choose an instrument you like the sound of, or try something popular like guitar, piano, orukulele.
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Although I am a big fan of minimalism and simplicity, I still believe in the joy of starting and building a collection. Find something you love and start collecting it. Some fun things to collect include Funko Pops, anime figures, plants, pins, vinyl records, signed artwork, trading cards, and special edition books.
Scrapbooking is not reserved for your younger years. Creating and adding to a scrapbook is a wonderful way to collect your memories, celebrate the things you love, and create a memorable keepsake that you can cherish forever. Try it and make a scrapbook!
For some, the idea of refinishing and painting furniture sounds like hard work. To you, it may sound like the dream. If it does, start a relaxing hobby around upcycling furniture. If you build your skills, you can even use this as a fun way to make money doing something you love.
Some video games can actually feel very stressful, but some bring out all the cozy vibes. Many people love Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley for this, and Disney’s Dreamlight Valley is also great. If you prefer something multiplayer with more fantasy questing, something like World of Warcraft, Genshin Impact or The Elder Scrolls Online might be a good fit.
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Walking is something we often take for granted, but it’s a fantastic way to get some fresh air, see some new sights and get some gentle exercise. It is also a calming way to live more in the present. Plan a walking route that you can follow each day or week, or look online for ideas on where to explore in your local area.
Many people find journaling to be a relaxing hobby. It’s a chance to jot down what happened during your day, things you’re grateful for, or your ideas and wishes for the future. If you’re creative, create your own bullet journal to track days, hobbies, habits and more. Use my positive journal messages to get ideas for what to write about. For something smaller, try writing a gratitude list.
Many of us learn a language at school or college, but it doesn’t always stick with us. Use this moment as the opportunity to learn a new language and build a habit or a relaxing hobby around it. Pick a culture or language you’re interested in and dive into an app like Duolingo.
If you want to share some of your thoughts, knowledge and ideas with the world, why not start a blog? This
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